Bachelor of ScienceNeuroscience

Neuroscience at Bellarmine

Choose from three different career path tracks.

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The BS in Neuroscience at Bellarmine is an interdisciplinary degree between the departments of Biology and Psychology that prepares students for a range of graduate and professional programs including medical school, clinical neuroscience, neuropsychology, physical therapy, and biomedical graduate programs. 

The Neuroscience major is designed to establish a broad foundation and understanding of nervous system development and function at all levels, from molecules to behavior, and to prepare undergraduates for graduate programs and careers in research, medicine, rehabilitation and clinical work related to nervous system function and dysfunction.

Students have the option to choose one of three career path tracks based on their career interest. The first is a Medical School Track designed for students interested in applying to medical school. The second is a Behavioral Neuroscience Graduate School Track for students who want to pursue graduate education in clinical or behavioral neuroscience. The third is a Physical Therapy Track which prepares students to apply to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy program.

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from Bellarmine with a B.S. in Neuroscience will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad foundation in the concepts and methodologies of neuroscience at the cellular, molecular, cognitive, systems and behavioral levels. 
  2. Describe major areas of neuroscience with a clear understanding of the main research approaches, techniques, and topics. 
  3. Develop scientific literacy and quantitative analytical skill to competently judge the scientific merit of original research and its representation by popular media. 
  4. Understand the ethical obligations in neuroscience with respect to animal and human research, engaging cultural diversity, and application and use of research findings. 

Career Opportunities

The popularity and importance of neuroscience has grown significantly in the last 20 years, especially as our understanding of the brain has increased and we have more ways to study the how the nervous system works, develops, malfunctions, and how it can be repaired. Due to its multidisciplinary nature, there are numerous careers in the neuroscience field, including careers in medicine, other health-related professions, clinical neuropsychology, and academia.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for medical scientists, including neuroscientists faster than the national average for all occupations. Growth in the jobs for physicians is projected to be 4%, which is as fast as average, growth in the jobs for Physical Therapists is projected to be 18% which is much faster than average. Jobs for neuropsychologists are projected to grow 11% between 2018-2028.

Course Schedule

For details see our Neuroscience Program page in the Bellarmine University 2022-2023 Course Catalog. (link)

Freshman Year
PSYC 103 (3 hours)
CHEM 103* (4 hours)
HIST 116 OR 117* (3 hours)
BU 100* (1 hour)
ENGL 101* (3 hours)
TOTAL: 14 hours

BIOL 130 (4 hours)
CHEM 104 (4 hours)
PSYC 240 (3 hours)
IDC 101 (3 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
TOTAL: 17-18 hours

Sophomore Year
BIOL 240 (4 hours)
MATH 205 (4 hours)
English Literature 200-level* (3 hours)
PHIL 101* (3 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
TOTAL: 17-18 hours

PSYC 203 (3 hours)
BIOL 231 (3 hours)
CHEM 205 (3 hours)
NEUR 201 (3 hours)
TOTAL: 14 hours

Junior Year
Selected BIOL/BMB* (4 hours)
PHYS 201 (4 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
TOTAL: 14-16 hours

BIOL/BMB/PSYC 200 or above (3 or 4 hours)
PSYC 313 (3 hours)
THEO 200* (3 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
Clinical/Research/Internship (1-3 hours)
TOTAL: 13-17 hours

Senior Year
NEUR 420 (3 hours)
PHIL 301* (3 hours)
Fine Arts* (3 hours)
Theology* (3 hours)
Electives (3 or 4 hours)
TOTAL: 15-16 hours

NEUR 430 (4 hours)
IDC 401* (3 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
Elective (3 or 4 hours)
TOTAL: 13-15 hours

Minimum Total Credits for this Degree: 120

Medical School Track (Total 23-27 hours)
MATH 117: Calculus I (4 hours)
PHYS 202: College Physics II (4 hours)
CHEM 206: Organic II (4 hours)
SOC 101: Intro to Sociology (3 hours)
BIOL 314: Vertebrate Physiology (4 hours)
BMB 301: Biochem (BMB 302 strongly recommended) (4-8 hours)

Behavioral Neuroscience Grad School Track (Total 13 hours)
PSYC 310: Research Methods I (4 hours)
PSYC 311: Research Methods II (3 hours)
PSYC 230: Psychology of Learning (3 hours)
PHIL 416/426: Philosophy of Science/Knowledge (3 hours)

Physical Therapy Track (Total 15-16 hours)
BIOL 108: Human A & P I (4 hours)
BIOL 109: Human A & P II (4 hours)
EXSC 240 or BIOL 300 or BIOL 314: (3 or 4 hours)
PHYS 202: College Physics II (4 hours)

Students planning to study abroad should consult the International Programs Office and the College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad liaison in their freshman year and coordinate their curriculum with the Neuroscience Program Director.

General Education courses may be taken in semesters other than the ones listed above.

Faculty

At Bellarmine, whether you are learning online or on-campus, you will receive dedicated support from passionate professors.

Sonja K. Bareiss, PT, Ph.D., MPT - Department of Physical Therapy

Christy D. Wolfe, Ph.D. - Department of Psychology

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